Ikea Lisel Fabric - on sale!

 

 

 

First I thought "eek!", then "yum!", then "cute!", then "maybe?", then "yes!"

then I bought four metres

Ikea's Lisel fabric - right now $4.99/metre


UPDATE: 50 MINUTES LATER

I wanted to make a pillow out of this rug...and I had a little extra fabric...so I hand stitched them together and this is what you get:

I need to buy proper stuffing to make it puff up! (A king pillow insert should do the trick!)

Picnic Party

We went to Centre Island for a picnic for my son's 5th birthday. 

We need to talk about the food! Everything was sooo delicious! Great recipes. Here are the links:

1. Olive tapanade on baguette - this was my favorite. 
2. Roast chicken wings - just olive oil, salt and pepper. I made these the morning of and brought them in warm. I cook them at 400 for 50 mins or so...
3. Green bean and tomato salad with tarragon dressing - just good! Eat your veggies! (Mixed the veggies with dressing at the park)
4. Quinoa salad with sugar snap peas and pumpkin seeds - yum (added the seeds at the park)
5. Chickpea salad with basil 
6. Pasta Salad - this was a jamie oliver recipe, technically, but I put my own spin on the dressing (mixed the veggies and the dressing at the park)
7. Nacho dip - it's a family thing. We have this at every get together. Secrets.
8. Other: mini cupcakes, bread sticks, hummus and cut veggies, watermelon and grapes, bagels, granola bars, juice boxes and bottled water.

It was a challenge getting everything to and from Centre Island. We had to park downtown, then carry everything to the ferry, then carry it to the picnic tables, then carry it from ride to ride. We used our wagon and the stroller and it all fit, more or less. We grabbed two tables next to the water in the busiest part of the park (not on purpose), threw together a string of balloons so friends and family could find us, and started to eat!!

After lunch the kids went on rides at the amusement park for hours. We took the ferry home around 5pm.

Park vs backyard: BACKYARD WINS EVERY TIME...because sipping on wine, white sangria, or a cold beer with lunch would have made everything better! Although I do appreciate the fact that the picnic prep happens the day before and morning of, so you can just relax at the party. When you host in your home you are constantly doing.

ps. We also made really simple loot bags. A organization tote/giant pencil case, smarties, glow in the dark things and a pen.
pps. When the reno is done (part 1 of reno) we are going to have a backyard party, like a housewarming. I want to invite all of you and all your people and cook up a storm!    
ppps. I forgot the big camera, and didn't take many photos, so I borrowed two from a friend. Thanks JJ!

Pre-dinner snacks

Tonight we had some friends (and their kids) over for dinner. They emailed to say they were running late - which gave me time to make the before dinner snacks a little more pinteresting.

Golden berries, roasted unsalted almonds, kettle-cooked popcorn and some water with lemon. Light and easy.

ps. the dinner menu: veggie chili, crusty sourdough bread, blackened catfish, blanched then pan fried broccoli, corn on the cob, cheese slices, and oven fries with ketchup...

Spring is coming...

I just finished painting a bunch of egg carton cherry blossoms. I'm going to make long strings of garland (on twine) to decorate for my little niece's third birthday party!

I told my sister-in-law she has to keep these forever - and I mean it, in a way. I really hope they aren't a-one-time-use-and-into-the-trash-deal...I hope they can be reused for her older daughter, and maybe passed along to friends, maybe? right?

Ahh well, too much?

I loved making these...

ps. How I did it: cut out the cartons into individual pods (or tear them apart, a little easier but more jagged edges to trim); cut four triangles - one in each side; go back and trim the petals into a rounded tip; paint by hand with watered down acrylic paint. 
pps. The plan for garlands: poke holes in the end of each (the circle), tie a knot in the string, thread them on like a bead, tie another knot to secure.

Inspiration: here

Birthday Decorations

Balloons & construction paper!
Rainbows & shapes!
Someone is turning two this weekend!

ps. I used this tutorial for the garland. I had the balloons on hand - two packs of assorted/bulk balloons from the dollar store.

Happy Thanksgiving!

My tummy hurts! What a feast!

In photos:
- rugs on the deck outside, today was outside weather
- snack table
- water and wine
- the middle floral arrangement sprouted fluff
- candles in mini mason jars at dusk
- so much food! 18.6lb organic turkey and we covered the sink with a board to make space for the entire buffet!

Menu: giant organic turkey, kale & corn, noodles, mashed potatoes, roasted root veggies, mushroom & crusty bread stuffing (on the side), cranberry sauce, salad, roasted cauliflower & chickpeas.

Thanksgiving Flower Arrangements

My nieces came by this afternoon to put together flower arrangements for Thanksgiving Dinner. We used six milk glass bowls with a chunk of green flower foam in each one. Despite googling "Eddie Ross Flower Arrangement" a million times before starting, I had no appreciation for how many flowers it took to make a simple arrangement. That's where the apples on bamboo sticks came in - to fill the holes.

It was a first time for everyone at the table! They did a fantastic job! Thanks ladies!!!!


ps. Cost: a whopping $86. I bought multiple bunches of orange flowers and the queens ann lace* from a local veggie and flower shop. Thankfully (Thanksgiving!!), the beige and purple grasses as well as the hydrangeas were from our garden and a kind neighbors garden (12 giant hydrangeas for free!!!!Take as many as you want, he said! Oh boy!!!)...I looked at the supermarket flowers from metro, they were $24 for a giant bunch of yellow and red blooms. One bunch may have filled one compote dish. Maybe there were cheaper bunches but I would have needed two or three of the smalls per dish. Summary: Not cheap.
pps. A shout out to A.W. who reads 8footsix faithfully!!!
ppps. I will try to take photos of the tables once they are fully set tomorrow, but with so many helpers in the house (and food that needs cooking), I may not get the chance!! 
pppps. The grey plaid tablecloth is new from The Bay. Part of the Gluckstein collection - on sale!!  I set two tables, 9 seats in the kitchen and 10 in the dining room. There will be 19 of us, including two toddlers who don't usually sit much at family dinner.

Thanksgiving Feastival

Canadian Thanksgiving is next weekend! We are feasting here with family and friends. I want to get the dishes washed and organized today, and then I can focus on the food next week.

Here is a dry run.

TWO EATING AREAS - The dining room, and the kitchen: 8-10 place settings in dining room, 10 place settings in kitchen.  

TABLE CLOTH - I need to buy another table cloth. This white sheet is the only thing I have that fits the dining room table.  Of course it needs ironing...and I was thinking of using water colour to make a pretty design. Grey and cream on the white...Maybe...

BUFFET STYLE: I put plates at each place setting, but on the big day, I will place them along the buffet for people to easily serve themselves. The smaller plates will be used for appetizers. All food will be laid out on the counters in the kitchen.

PLATES: 16 new harvest-like plates, marked Eschenbach Bavaria, Germany, pattern W3184, purchased last weekend for $0.25 each at thrift shop - SCORE!

GLASSES - Using milk glass goblets as water glasses. Wine glasses will be at a 'beverage station' since most of us (me) get started with a nice glass while cooking and picking at the appetizers.

NIBBLES - I want to fill the scalloped berry bowls with golden yellow berries (those tart ones, not sure their name) and the chicken jars with nuts...

CENTERPIECES -  Mums in milkglass...either small potted mums or I need green flower foam to make the arrangements

OTHER
- Tea lights
- I have this big idea that involves branches and twinkle lights (oh my!), but I might not have the time to tackle it...
- at least three ice water water pitchers at each table, and some decanted wine.
- making mini no-bake cheesecakes in the glasses (bottom picture)
- using 6 bentwood chairs (at my sister-in-law's right now!)


Note to self: Buy a tablecloth & flower foam // Ask mom to bring the turkey platter this weekend // Find out if any of the girls want to come help decorate and make cheesecakes 

ps. I would love suggestions or big ideas, if you got them, please share!!!

Photo booth background

Everybody is doing it - and I can see why! This is the funnest toy ever!

My sister-in-law's sister's wedding shower is on Sunday. I offered to make a backboard for a photo booth. What I had in mind, was something shiny, like this one from what Oh Happy Day!.

But, I didn't have any shiny...

I walked through the aisles at Deserres and came up with this background!  Her colours are mustard yellow and grey...I didn't like the regular paper, so I decided to improvise

I used:
- 12 white bristol boards @99 cents each (they are 2/$1 at the dollar store, I think)
- one large piece of cardboard $6
- 1 tube acrylic paint $5.50, brushes, chrome spray paint (on hand)
- double sided tape, scissors, pencil, large level (for a straight line) and bowl (all on hand)

I sprayed the some boards silver, and messy-painted the others....traced circles on the back, cut them out, mounted them with double sided tape according to the grid I drew on the board.

It took me about four hours to do, and I stabbed myself under my thumb nail at least 5,784 times while trying to peel back the double sided tape. I hate you tape.

ps. the stupid strings are hanging out of my shirt...